Willie Mays

[Yoda]

More the gap I was thinking of were cards between !951-3 in exmt and above. The example I used in the current PWCC auction, fresh as it is, was something I had never seen before, 2 RC's, same PSA grade, the same auction. I am sure Mick's card will top Willie's by auction end but an interesting moment, nonetheless

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Yoda

More the gap I was thinking of were cards between !951-3 in exmt and above. The example I used in the current PWCC auction, fresh as it is, was something I had never seen before, 2 RC's, same PSA grade, the same auction. I am sure Mick's card will top Willie's by auction end but an interesting moment, nonetheless

The fact that you're picking their rookie and earliest year cards, and in a very high condition, is exactly the kind of cards the flippers and investors normally go for. And because of that, and I hate to say it, but Jollyelm may be right on the money and there is possibly a deathwatch on Willie Mays, with people just waiting to take advantage of his passing so they can dump his cards at a big profit. Or it could be people anticipating the rise in the value of his cards when he passes, so they're possibly looking to buy them now before prices go up even more.

Either case, it may have a lot to do with his age and remaining life expectancy.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by BobC

The fact that you're picking their rookie and earliest year cards, and in a very high condition, is exactly the kind of cards the flippers and investors normally go for. And because of that, and I hate to say it, but Jollyelm may be right on the money and there is possibly a deathwatch on Willie Mays, with people just waiting to take advantage of his passing so they can dump his cards at a big profit. Or it could be people anticipating the rise in the value of his cards when he passes, so they're possibly looking to buy them now before prices go up even more.

Either case, it may have a lot to do with his age and remaining life expectancy.

Isn't the fact that he is not going to live forever already priced in? I mean who is going to say, damn, he really died, now I need his rookie card?

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Isn't the fact that he is not going to live forever already priced in? I mean who is going to say, damn, he really died, now I need his rookie card?

Well, you and I may think that, but don't forget we're now dealing with a lot of younger flippers/investors who are looking for even the slightest advantage, like a hot stock tip. And what are you doing being a bit contrarian with me? You know as well as I do there are always going to be some people coming out of the woodwork when something good or bad happens to famous people/athletes. Just like when someone pretty much everyone knows is a lock for the HOF, you expect their cards to have already been priced at their HOF level long before they ever actually get in. And yet, when the actual election occurs and their induction is confirmed, you still always seem to see a jump in interest and price for the cards/items. Human nature in that there will always be people who need that trigger, like someone's passing, to re-create interest in that person. LOL. Just the way it is.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Isn't the fact that he is not going to live forever already priced in? I mean who is going to say, damn, he really died, now I need his rookie card?

+1 !

[Yoda]

Bob, I have to agree on all points and it just makes me sad that there is a segment of the hobby that is on sort of a death vigil for Willie. My point in making the post was that in the early going of the PWCC horserace of RC's that Mays has a 2 length lead, something I have never seen before.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Bob, I have to agree on all points and it just makes me sad that there is a segment of the hobby that is on sort of a death vigil for Willie. My point in making the post was that in the early going of the PWCC horserace of RC's that Mays has a 2 length lead, something I have never seen before.

John,

Definitely agree, but we both know how people can be when it comes to making a buck. A lot of them will do anything, including taking advantage of someone's passing and the sentiment and memories it evokes in others. It turns out to be one of our not so admirable human natures, but it is what it is.

[Smarti5051]

It could also be possible that the recent deaths of Kobe and Aaron, and the immediate skyrocketing of their rookie cards has caused Mays collectors to accelerate their rookie grail card plans for fears of being priced out completely in the event of his death. It only takes 10-30 newly motivated buyers to dramatically change the landscape for high-end vintage cards. My grail card, the Joe Jackson Cracker Jack, has gone from "I will plan to save up for a nice PSA 4 in a couple years" card to a "can I tolerate a BVG "authentic" poster cut/blank back with 15% of the right side missing" question. I imagine there are many Mays collectors that see a hole where the 51/52 issues are supposed to go that feel like their options might be slipping away if they don't act now and outbid the competition.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Smarti5051

It could also be possible that the recent deaths of Kobe and Aaron, and the immediate skyrocketing of their rookie cards has caused Mays collectors to accelerate their rookie grail card plans for fears of being priced out completely in the event of his death. It only takes 10-30 newly motivated buyers to dramatically change the landscape for high-end vintage cards. My grail card, the Joe Jackson Cracker Jack, has gone from "I will plan to save up for a nice PSA 4 in a couple years" card to a "can I tolerate a BVG "authentic" poster cut/blank back with 15% of the right side missing" question. I imagine there are many Mays collectors that see a hole where the 51/52 issues are supposed to go that feel like their options might be slipping away if they don't act now and outbid the competition.

Exactly!

[Snowman]

Not sure if it's been mentioned yet, but there's also another factor in play which is that HBO is going to release their documentary on Willie Mays this year. A lot of people are buying up his cards while they still can. It's not always about "making a buck". His cards are going up. They've been going up for a long time now. High end vintage in general is drying up. If you want his cards, yesterday is the time to get them. Despite the outpouring of nonsense to the contrary though, don't feel bad for buying a Willie Mays card. It really doesn't make you a bad person. Honestly, it doesn't.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Smarti5051

I imagine there are many Mays collectors that see a hole where the 51/52 issues are supposed to go that feel like their options might be slipping away if they don't act now and outbid the competition.

There's a FOMO factor to a lot of superstar cards right now, especially for cards that have 'only' gone up 300% in the last two years. I'm amazed what "A" cards get now; collectors just want in on some issues.

[rugbymarine]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

There's a FOMO factor to a lot of superstar cards right now, especially for cards that have 'only' gone up 300% in the last two years. I'm amazed what "A" cards get now; collectors just want in on some issues.

I've got a bit of this FOMO going on right now:

1) I'd like to own more Mays cards than I currently own.
2) The prices of his cards will very likely increase significantly when he passes.
3) I'd rather purchase them at pre-death prices than post-death prices, in the same any collector would rather pay 2018 prices for the items they pursue, than 2022 prices.

What I'm feeling has a lot to do with an expected price increase upon his passing, but it has nothing to do with me wanting to profit from that event. i hope that makes sense.

And a card..